POLS 351 01

Renee Cardarelle is a visiting assistant professor. She has extensive experience working in the Nonprofit and advocacy field and has run for office twice. Her area of focus is civic engagement and its role in governance.

This course is designed to examine the role of women in politics, including selection of women for political offices, the political attitudes and behavior of women; and the development of public policy initiatives as they affect or are likely to affect women.

After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

• Analyze political social structures and explain barriers and opportunities women political leaders face, including intersectional barriers such as racism.
• Evaluate the historical experiences of women seeking political power both in the US and worldwide.
• Assess the ways political power is currently used and women’s interaction with power structures.

Women, Politics and Power: A Global Perspective. Pamela Paxton, Melanie M. Hughes, and Tiffany D. Barnes

ISBN # 978-1-5381-3751-2

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey. Vice President Kamala Harris

ISBN # 978-0-525-56073-9

There may also be an occasional online reading.

In order to succeed in this course, at a minimum, you should be able to:

• Navigate in and use basic Blackboard functions
• Use word processing equipment and be able to submit materials in the appropriate manner
• Compose and write a properly cited paper

Access and Log in Information

This course was developed and will be facilitated utilizing Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://blackboard.UND.edu and log in with your NDUS.Identifier, Username and Password. If you do not know your NDUS Identifier or have forgotten your password, please visit Your NDUS Account page on the UIT website.

Course Overview

The course content is organized into a 16-week semester. Each week contains a lecture and in-class discussion on assigned readings tied to the learning outcomes. There may be occasional online readings, guest speakers, videos or films and other instructional resources selected to enhance the learning experience and support the various topics. In addition, there will be a community-based service-learning activity which will be reported in person or online (TBD). Discussions, class attendance, written assignments, presentations and potential quizzes (TBD) will be used to assess your comprehension and application of all material.

COVID Information:

The University of North Dakota is strongly recommending indoor masking in public settings – even for those who have been vaccinated. The University continues to emphasize that getting vaccinated is the best way to protect the campus and the community.

Faculty members have the authority to require masks in their classrooms. Every person on campus should carry a mask in the event that a colleague requests that you wear a mask and to honor the classroom expectations for the upcoming fall semester.

In our classroom, masks are not required when social distancing, however any group work, which brings individuals who do not live in the same location together, will require wearing masks. There are NO exceptions to this. Wear a mask when closer than six feet! We need to remind each other of this important behavior. At all times the priority will be on following the strictest safety guidelines: vaccination, social distancing, masking, etc.

Service Learning and Masks. A component of this class involves service learning.  There are many ways to do service learning, including service from the privacy of your home.  If you are encountering problems with finding a service learning situation that meets your needs, you can consult with the instructor on viable options.

Resources

Many services are available to UND students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center, free online tutoring from Smarthinking, and more. Visit the Student Resources page for more information. Students also have access to the UND Student Resource Site via Blackboard. It is recommended that you become familiar with the tools and tutorials within the site to better equip you in navigating the course.

Course Requirements/Expectations

1. The student will review the syllabus, course schedule and all course instructions found in Blackboard announcements or as discussed in class. Every attempt will be made to provide information equally in both locations; however, it is the student’s responsibility if a class is missed to confirm any changes.
2. The student will complete and submit assignments, written work, quizzes, etc. by the dated noted in Blackboard and on the course schedule. We will use Central Standard Time for due dates and times.
3. The student will participate fully in class and attendance will be taken. The student is expected to complete all readings by the due dates to participate in class discussions.
4. In all ways follow the COVID safety requirements for the class will follow the university, state and federal guidelines.

Announcements

Announcements will be made in class and posted in Blackboard. Be sure to check the blackboard class announcements regularly as they will contain important information about class assignments and other class matters. Upon missing class, the student will be responsible to inquire about any in-class changes (these will usually be reflected on Blackboard, but last-minute changes discussed in class may be missed).

Email

You are encouraged to post your questions about the course in the FAQs discussion board forum in the Blackboard site. This is an open forum in which you and your classmates are encouraged to answer each other’s questions. But, if you need to contact me directly, check the Faculty tab in Blackboard or the syllabus for my contact information. I will respond back to you within 48 hours during the week or weekend.

Course Etiquette

When participating in class it is important to interact with your peers in an appropriate manner. Always use professional language (no netspeak) in your postings and emails. Please be respectful of your classmates at all times even if you disagree with their ideas.

This course will examine the actions of political leaders, with the intent of understanding how they rose to power. All participants in the class are expected to leave political opinion outside of the class. For example, we will be reading about our current Vice President, Kamala Harris. We will be looking at the skills she learned to rise to power, analyzing how her actions help or hinder her political career, her interpretation of the advocacy work she has done and other pertinent details. Our academic goals are focused on these activities, not on whether or not you feel she is a good or bad politician or if you would vote for her. All political biases should be checked at the door, this is an academic environment not Facebook.

Assignment Policy

Due dates for each assignment or activity will be posted in Blackboard.

Late Work

All assignments must be submitted by the due dates posted in the course. The acceptance of late assignments is at the discretion of the instructor, provided that you contact the instructor before the due date and ask for an extension. All requirements for this course must be completed during the course dates.

Instructor Responsibilities and Feedback

• The instructor will maintain a weekly log of class attendance and participation. Large assignment results will be posted within 10 to 12 working days of submission.
• The instructor will be available during appointed Office Hours to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer advice. You are encouraged to come visit.

Class Participation

Students are required to login regularly to the online class site. Students are also required to participate in all class activities such as discussion board, blogs, and wikis. Students are expected to attend classes.

Incompletes

It is expected that students will complete all requirements for a course during the time frame of the course. For reasons beyond a student’s control, and upon request by the student or on behalf of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned by the instructor when there is reasonable certainty the student will successfully complete the course without retaking it. The mark “I,” Incomplete, will be assigned only to the student who has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work up to a time within four weeks of the close of the semester, including the examination period, and whose work is incomplete for reasons satisfactory to his or her instructor. More information regarding UND’s Incomplete policy can be found on The Grading System webpage.

Copyright Notice

© Renee Cardarelle

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA POLICIES & RESOURCES

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a serious matter, and any deviations from appropriate behavior will be dealt with strongly. At the discretion of the professor, situations of concern may be dealt with as a scholastic matter or a disciplinary matter.

As a scholastic matter, the professor has the discretion to determine appropriate penalties to the student’s workload or grade, but the situation may be resolved without involving many individuals. An alternative is to treat the situation as a disciplinary matter, which can result in suspension from the University, or have lesser penalties. Be aware that I view this as a very serious matter, and will have little tolerance of or sympathy for questionable practices. A student who attempts to obtain credit for work that is not their own (whether that be on a paper, quiz, homework assignment, exam, etc.) will likely receive a failing grade for that item of work, and at the professor’s discretion, may also receive a failing grade in the course. For more information read the Code of Student Life.

Access & Opportunity, Disability Support and Medical Services

If you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need accommodations in this course because of a disability, please visit with me as soon as possible. My office hours are at the top of this syllabus. If you plan to request disability accommodations, you are expected to register with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office online, (180 McCannel Hall, 701.777.3425).

If you have a temporary medical condition such as a broken arm or recovering after surgery, you may be able to arrange for courtesy services. In most cases, it is expected that you will make your own arrangements for these services. Examples of courtesy services include access to a test scribe if the student has a broken hand; lift equipped van transportation when the student has a broken leg or temporary accessible parking for a student using crutches for a short period. If you are unable to make your own arrangements, please contact DSS (777-3425). Unlike services and/or accommodations provided to eligible students with disabilities, the University is NOT obligated to provide courtesy services.

Resolution of Problems

Should a problem occur, you should speak to your instructor first. If the problem is not resolved, meet with insert name of conflict mediator or ombudsperson if available in your department, otherwise delete this sentence. If the problem continues to be unresolved, go to the department chair, and next to the college Dean. Should the problem persist, you have the right to go to the Provost next, and then to the President.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of the University of North Dakota that no person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, age, color, gender, disability, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or political belief or affiliation and the equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. Concerns regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, and Section 504 may be addressed to: Donna Smith, Director of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Title IX Coordinator, 401 Twamley Hall, 701.777.4171, UND.affirmativeactionoffice@UND.edu or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 500 West Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60611 or any other federal agency.

Reporting of Sexual Violence

If you or a friend has experienced sexual violence, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or sex-based harassment, please contact UND’s Title IX Coordinator, Donna Smith, for assistance: 701.777.4171; donna.smith@UND.edu; or visit the Title IX webpage.

Faculty Reporting Obligations Regarding Sexual Violence

It is important for students to understand that faculty are required to share with UND’s Title IX Coordinator any incidents of sexual violence they become aware of, even if those incidents occurred in the past or are disclosed as part of a class assignment. This does not mean an investigation will occur if the student does not want that, but it does allow UND to provide resources to help the student continue to be successful at UND. If you have been the victim of sexual violence, you can find information about confidential support services on the Title IX webpage.

UND Cares Program

The UND Cares program seeks to educate faculty, staff and students on how to recognize warning signs that indicate a student is in distress.

How to Seek Help When in Distress

We know that while college is a wonderful time for most students, some students may struggle. You may experience students in distress on campus, in your classroom, in your home, and within residence halls. Distressed students may initially seek assistance from faculty, staff members, their parents, and other students. In addition to the support we can provide to each other, there are also professional support services available to students through the Dean of Students and University Counseling Center. Both staffs are available to consult with you about getting help or providing a friend with the help that he or she may need. For more additional information, please visit the UND Cares program Webpage.

How to Recognize When a Student is in Distress

The term “distressed” can mean any of the following:

• Student has significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities.
• Student has cut off or minimized contact with family or friends.
• Student has significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular, or social activities.
• Student describes problems (missing class, not remembering, destructive behavior) that result from experiences with drinking or drugs.
• Student is acting withdrawn, volatile, tearful, etc.
• Student is acting out of character or differently than usual.
• Student is talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide.
• Student has difficulty concentrating or difficulty carrying on normal conversation.
• Student has excessive dependence on others for company or support.
• Student reports feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.

UND Cares about Your Success

Important information is available to you through Starfish, which is an online system used to help students be successful. When an instructor observes student behaviors or concerns that may impede academic success, the instructor may raise a flag that notifies the student of the concern and/or refer the student to their academic advisor or UND resource. Please pay attention to these emails and take the recommended actions. They are sent to help you be successful!

Starfish also allows you to (1) schedule appointments with various offices and individuals across campus, (2) request help on a variety of topics, and (3) search and locate information on offices and services at UND.

You can log into Starfish by clicking on Logins on the UND homepage and then selecting Starfish. A link to Starfish is also available in Blackboard once you have signed in.

Ensure Accessibility

To comply with the latest accessibility guidelines, documents posted online, including, but not limited to, Adobe PDF files, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, and online flipbooks, must be screen-reader friendly. For directions on how to make your syllabus and other course materials accessible, visit the Creating Accessible Content webpage on the TTaDA site.